Cameroon: Investigate Threats Against Rights Lawyers

Authorities in Cameroon should promptly investigate threats against two prominent lawyers who are representing clients accused of homosexuality, Human Rights Watch said. The government should publicly denounce the threats against the defense lawyers and ensure that they receive necessary protection. Since October 18, 2012, Alice Nkom, a lawyer based in Douala, and Michel Togue, a Yaoundé-based lawyer, have received a series of anonymous threats by cell phone and email related to their work on several high-profile homosexuality cases. One text message to Togue threatened his school-age children and warned him to stop defending people accused of homosexuality. A subsequent email message to Togue warned, “In this country there is no place for faggots and their defenders.” The sender attached photos of Togue’s children leaving their school building. An email message to Nkom stated, “If you don’t stop [‘renoncer’], you’ll see.” The email reiterated the threats to Togue’s children, warning Nkom, “This will be bloody.” It also threatened Nkom’s children. (Human Rights Watch)

Africa: End discrimination against LGBTI on international day against homophobia

Discrimination and persecution of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in South Africa and Cameroon must be halted, Amnesty International said as activists around the world mark the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. Instances of harassment, discrimination, persecution, violence and murders committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity are increasing across sub-Saharan Africa. (Amnesty International)

Human Rights Progress in Tunisia is Sputtering

Suzanne Nossel, Amnesty International USA executive director, responds to mention of Tunisia in debate: "The president says the United States stood with the protesters in Tunisia but now human rights progress in Tunisia is sputtering," says Suzanne Nossel, executive director of Amnesty International USA, following release of new evidence by the organization on Thursday of serious human rights abuses, including torture of protesters and a crackdown on journalists, artists and government critics. (Amnesty International USA)

Libya and the West's Human Rights Hypocrisy

For some time to come, Libya shall stand as an enduring symbol of the West's hypocrisy, and indeed duplicity, on the issue of human rights. While the West, and especially the United States, justified its aerial bombardment of Libya last year on the pretense of saving civilians from a possible, future (rather than actual) attack by Gaddafi forces, the West is silent about the real and ongoing attack of the new Libyan regime upon the town of Bani Walid. Indeed, one must strain hard to even learn of this attack in the press. On October 5, 2012, Amnesty International reported upon the siege of Bani Walid by government forces. As Amnesty explained then, "members of the Libyan army, Libya Shield forces and armed militias from various parts of the country, including Misatra, surrounded Bani Walid," ostensibly on the grounds of trying to hunt down and arrest suspects responsible for the killing of Omran Shaaban, "credited with capturing Colonel Mu'ammar al-Gaddafi on 20 October 2011." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-kovalik/human-rights-libya_b_2001880.html (The Huffington Post)

Georgia: UN condemns prisoner abuses exposed in television footage

The United Nations has condemned abuses committed against prisoners in Georgia that were exposed in videos made public this week, and urged that the violations be investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice. “We call on the Government to ensure that all allegations of such human rights violations – and not only the ones exposed in these videos – are promptly, impartially and effectively investigated and that perpetrators are brought to justice,” a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Rupert Colville, told reporters in Geneva. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=42949&Cr=Georgia&Cr1= (UN News Centre)

Unrest Follows Broadcast of Video Showing Prison Abuse in Georgia

The senior official in charge of prisons in Georgia resigned on Wednesday, after a television station broadcast graphic video of prison inmates being brutally beaten and sodomized by guards. As hundreds of people took to the streets to protest on Wednesday, President Mikheil Saakashvili quickly condemned the abuses and promised that those responsible would be prosecuted. Mr. Saakashvili also pledged to overhaul the prison system. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/20/world/europe/a-resignation-and-protests-follow-the-release-of-prison-abuse-videos-in-georgia.html?_r=0 (The New York Times)

Morocco: Restore AFP Reporter’s Accreditation

Moroccan authorities should restore the accreditation of Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalist Omar Brouksy and stop retaliating against foreign media for what they report. On October 4, 2012, authorities withdrew Brouksy’s accreditation, citing an article published that day about an election contest in which Brouksy noted that the founder of one political party was close to the royal palace. (Human Rights Watch)

Yemen: Security Forces Raiding Aden Hospitals

Yemeni state security forces are threatening health care in Aden by forcibly removing wounded alleged militants from hospitals, exchanging fire with gunmen seeking to block the arrests, and beating medical staff, Human Rights Watch said today. One hospital in that southern port city has suspended operations as a result. (Human Rights Watch)

Pakistan: Protect Students, Teachers, Schools From Attack

The Pakistani government must take immediate steps to protect students, teachers, schools, and rights defenders at risk of attack, Human Rights Watch said today. Armed groups including the Taliban, al Qaeda, and their affiliates should cease attacks that target children, educational personnel, and schools.

Libya: New Proof of Mass Killings at Gaddafi Death Site

New evidence collected by Human Rights Watch implicates Misrata-based militias in the apparent execution of dozens of detainees following the capture and death of Muammar Gaddafi one year ago.

Barrister Loh George joins Human IS Right!

Barrister Loh George has joined Human IS Right. The Buea barrister gives his availability to cooperate with our organization in the Prisoners' Rights Project. Human IS Right warmly welcome barrister Loh George and we wish him all the best for his generous activity and availability. We believe in Human Rights!

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